Tuesday, 17 March 2026

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Roads Australia has confirmed earlier estimates that costs have blown out on the Big Build by at least $15 billion due to corruption and lawlessness. Why is the Premier seeking to cover up by refusing to investigate $15 billion of waste and corruption on the Big Build?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:11): Criminal activity and allegations of criminal activity in any workplace or on any worksite – these are serious allegations, and they are serious matters that deserve immediate attention and action. And that is exactly what we have done through the work of Victoria Police, who have laid 70 charges, and the work of the Labour Hire Authority, with the additional powers that they have been given. They have cancelled construction licences and blocked many others. The claims that are contained in the member for Brighton’s question are claims that at this stage are without evidence – do not have any basis of fact.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, it is not relevant or appropriate for the Premier to be sledging Roads Australia. Their estimate is clear, and it is inappropriate to sledge Roads Australia.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: Given that allegations of this nature are serious, I would expect that if anyone has evidence to support these sorts of claims that evidence should be and would be immediately handed to Victoria Police, who, as demonstrated by the actions they have taken through the work of Operation Hawk, are arresting people, have laid charges.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Polwarth is warned.

Jacinta ALLAN: If there is any evidence to support the claims made by the member for Brighton in his question, purportedly reporting other people’s claims, those claims should be made to Victoria Police.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:13): Roads Australia also detailed how ‘criminal elements have been allowed access like never before’ to Big Build sites. Isn’t it the case the Premier will not call a royal commission into corruption on the Big Build because she enabled it?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:13): The answer is no. And again this question exposes the Liberal Party for being the anti-worker outfit that they are. There was a royal commission in this country, set up by a former Liberal government, that went after the union movement and achieved nothing. The seriousness of these matters –

Danny O’Brien: A point of order on the question of relevance, Speaker.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has already addressed the answer to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: The seriousness of these matters demands urgent and immediate action, which is what is happening right now. I say to those workers out there on worksites that, yes, they deserve the best of representation. The worksites that they work on are difficult and dangerous, and they are delivering the road and rail and hospitals that our growing state needs. We thank them for their work. They deserve to have fair pay and conditions. They do not deserve this anti-worker attack from this Liberal outfit.